Heavy Haul Market Conditions, Week of Nov 9

Fuel

Diesel: on-highway retail ($/gal)

The U.S. average was $6.127 for the week of Nov 9, down 16.5¢ from the week before and $2.29 above a year ago. Every region fell this week. In the Northwest, the West Coast excluding California (which includes Oregon and Washington) was $6.429, down 14.6¢, its third straight weekly decline. The Rocky Mountain region (which includes Idaho) was $6.206, down 23.9¢.

Source: EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, released Nov 10, 2026 (next release Nov 17). Prices include all taxes. EIA doesn't publish separate Oregon, Washington or Idaho diesel averages in this table. Checked Nov 10, 2026.

Capacity

Capacity and demand

• Flatbed is still the tightest board. DAT's flatbed load-to-truck ratio edged up to 42.26 (from 41.73) for the week ending Nov 6 as load posts rose 4.8% and truck posts rose 3.5%. Load posts are 46.6% above a year ago and the ratio is nearly double last year's 21.14. (DAT, Nov 9)
• Fewer trucks. Across DAT's three boards, truck posts are 24% to 34% below a year ago while load posts are 22% to 47% higher. (DAT via AJOT, Nov 9)
• Flatbed loads keep climbing: Truckstop reports flatbed loads up 6.2% for the week ended Nov 6 and more than 32% above a year ago, but essentially flat on the West Coast and in the Mountain Central region. (FTR/Truckstop, Nov 9)
• Tonnage is soft. ATA's seasonally adjusted truck tonnage index rose 0.8% in September to 114.0, unchanged from a year earlier. ATA's October report hasn't been released yet. (ATA, Oct 20)
• Holiday slowdown ahead. DAT expects construction and industrial shipments to slow around Thanksgiving as year-end project work winds down. (DAT, Nov 2)

Season

Seasonal factors for the Northwest

• Chain season is on. In Washington, vehicles over 10,000 lb must carry chains on listed routes (including I-90 Snoqualmie) through Apr 1, and oversize permit loads can't move where traction-advisory or chains-required signs are posted (WSDOT). In Oregon, vehicles over 10,000 lb GVW or towing must chain up when chains are required (ODOT TripCheck).
• Veterans Day (Wed, Nov 11) is not a holiday movement restriction in OR, WA, ID, CA, UT, NV or MT, but Idaho's and Nevada's permit offices are closed Nov 11, and Nevada's also closes Nov 26 and 27 (ITD; NDOT; MDT).
• Portland-area I-5 night closures: northbound in North Portland (Lombard to Marine Dr) 1–4 a.m. Nov 11–12 and northbound in Wilsonville 1–4 a.m. Nov 13, with signed detours (ODOT).
• Portland work zones: central Portland I-5 night width limits of 14 ft and night height limits as low as 14 ft 7 in run through about Nov 30, and I-205 northbound across the Abernethy Bridge in Oregon City closes for the weekend Nov 20–23. Check TripCheck the day you move.
daylight-only moves get shorter travel windows in November and December. Plan transit times with that in mind.

Plan ahead

Thanksgiving 2026 oversize restrictions

Book Thanksgiving-week oversize moves now, or plan to deliver by Tuesday, Nov 24. California, Utah, Nevada and Montana windows are in Freight Brief Issue #4 and the Thanksgiving 2026 FAQ.